The MexicoBlog of the CIP Americas Program monitors and analyzes international press on Mexico with a focus on the US-backed War on Drugs in Mexico and the struggle in Mexico to strengthen the rule of law, justice and protection of human rights. Relevant political developments in both countries are also covered.

Mar 28, 2012

Head of US Armed Forces Discusses Combatting Transnational Organized Crime

This brief article from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey gives several indications as to why the war on drugs drags on despite its failure. In his assessment of the threat posed by "transnational organized crime", Dempsey lumps in a series of threats that have no known basis in fact, including the transportation of terrorists and weapons of mass destruction through organized crime networks. There is no mention of the social roots of crime, and the model presented 'a la Colombiana' --"The military can clear an area, but if the government cannot hold it -- and bring jobs, education and health care benefits -- it will lose that area" continues to conceive of the fight on crime as a domestic military occupation.

American Forces Press Service By Jim GaramonTransnational organized crime is not specifically mentioned in the new defense strategy, but leaders understand the threat, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at U.S. Southern Command today.

One of the command's main missions is to deal with the threat posed by drug cartels, human traffickers and gunrunners -- what the command calls transnational organized crime. The command works with regional allies and with U.S. interagency partners to combat this transnational threat.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey spoke during a Southcom town hall meeting before leaving for a visit to regional allies. Before the town hall, he met with Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, Southcom’s commander, and received briefings on the range and breadth of threats and opportunities in the region.

“I want to assure you that we recognize the threat that transnational organized crime presents, not just because of what they transport to our shores, but what they could also transport -- terrorists and weapons and weapons of mass destruction,” the general said. Read more